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I was recently in a situation where–gasp–I realized that I was not appropriately dressed for an event. My husband & I were going to a concert & even though my maxi dress & shrug combo were perfectly comfortable, rain was imminent & the weather was not about to stop us from going to the beachfront concert. So, I had a little time after work to run to @Target for a quick change of looks. I found leggings, a tunic tee, & cozy hoodie to endure the weather, but also, this yellow floral wristlet pouch by A New Day completed my look while still staying true to my style. It was the perfect way to carry only necessities, instead of my usual oversized tote bag with absolutely everything I owned.

A day or so after the event, I went on Target‘s website to share my joy about this wristlet & that’s when I found the navy & orange combo on the same wristlet, which is equally stylish for summer.

Both wristlets offer a fashionable pop of color & tropical feel in their patterns, which work perfectly with any outfit this season. Also, they’ll transition nicely for spring looks when headed out to a party or daytime wedding. My absolute favorite part of these wristlets is the price–$12.99!

Jessica Alba has always been one of my favorite celebrities to watch out for on the red carpet because several elements of her personal style mirror my own. She loves feminine, classic pieces, never straying too far into an architectural or modern aesthetic, but still appearing current & trendy. While the actress / entrepreneur has been promoting her new series L.A.’s Finest (also starring the always exquisite Gabrielle Union), as well as her brand The Honest Company, Jessica has been all about platforms. I couldn’t help but notice the chunky shoe under many of her dresses during her promotional tour, a choice that I would not personally make, but something I love to look at with her red carpet fashion, which has a very 70s & 90s glam vibe right now.

I’m a sucker for dresses, cardigans, & big jewelry. There’s no question about it. There are some staple pieces that I love to have en masse, including cardigans, ankle pants, & blouses. However, one wardrobe must-have that I haven’t embraced so much is the classic t-shirt!

(gasp)

…Perhaps this is because I always relied on the cozy ease of a t-shirt for my sleepwear & not so much to mix with my day pieces. T-shirts are an easy way to play off of busy patterns, bold textures, & trendy companions, which is why I’m featuring some great deals on colorful, classic, & trendy t-shirts.

No matter what your favorite neckline is, t-shirts really are for everyone. There are so many styles to consider from crewneck to v-neck to square-neck to split-neck, which is what makes t-shirts so versatile & compatible to offset a busy look to keep in minimal with all solids. Any of these tees could be worn with jeans, tucked into a skirt, with printed pants, or under a sleeveless dress, creating a new layer of possibilities in outfit building. Consider coordinating any of these items to build your next comfy t-shirt chic look:

It’s been a few days now that Facebook has been showing me sponsored posts about Betsey Johnson‘s Vandi pumps & each time I spot them, I take a moment to admire their femininity & flair. I usually get annoyed by sponsored posts (because I don’t like how social media tracks when I’m searching & then it appears EVERYWHERE). However, in this case, I haven’t searched the brand, nor have I been seeking out strappy high sandals like these, but I find them downright delightful & lovely.

They’re beyond my budget & not realistic for my current lifestyle & footwear needs, but they sure are pretty! thump thump…I imagine styling them with a little black dress, floral fit & flair frock, or even with a colorful blouse & skinny jeans. These are shoes for serious Style Darlings who love to add that extra special touch to every outfit & if they landed on my doorstep (in a size 8), I wouldn’t bat an eye at finding an occasion to wear them.

For my first official summer as a mommy, I’m scouring the web for a go-to tote to run out the door with (along with my own purse & the diaper bag) for all outing essentials that aren’t a part of my day-to-day life. For example, a bottle of sunscreen, a picnic blanket, a travel water bottle, spare flip flops, & maybe a magazine or book. I love how this season has so many cute & playful options that capture the spirit of the summer, while also being very spacious & useful for a busy Style Darling like myself. Here are just a few examples of what’s out there & what I have my eye on!

I’m all about the statement necklace with chunky gemstones & layers of chains, but for summer, I like lighter pieces that don’t cling too heavily to my skin, which brings me to my latest jewelry favorite: pendant necklaces. They’re perfect for a boho look with a maxi dress & sparkly sandals or for more professional workwear looks in a sheath dress & pumps. Also, consider mixing a pendant necklace with a blouse & pencil skirt, or solid tee & floral shorts with wedges. Pendant necklaces are also great for layering in length, especially when you want to mix stones, beads, pearls, & metal tones (rose, gold, & silver) to create a dynamic way to use your accessories!

Of course, pendant necklaces aren’t just for summer either. They’re an accessories essential all year long, as seen by just a handful of the ways I’ve worn mine the last few seasons (@styledarlingdaily on Instagram).

Victoria Beckham is always flawless. This isn’t news, but I just had to start there. The Spice Girl-turned-designer recently stepped out in what starts to look like a minimalist summer look with a white tee & black cuffed jeans, accessorized with classic pieces like a sleek black envelope clutch, pendant necklace, a chain link gold watch, & Celine sunglasses (shop here)… until you see the heels! They’re BalenciagaSquare Knife neon pumps (shop here) that make a wild style statement, but it all works seamlessly, especially on Victoria!

Of course, this look would’ve worked with pink, orange, red, or really, any color heel. She could’ve surprised us all with neon ballet flats, which would have been equally successful & exciting to post about. I’m always finding new ways to mix up my favorite wardrobe items in my collection, playing with different colors & patterns to pop, which is why I love Victoria’s inspiration so much.

However, we all don’t have the kind of budget needed to recreate this high-end, luxury look… but have no fear! Because so many of the pieces are staples, they’re not hard to find without breaking the bank! Even imitation-inspired heels are available to peruse (in several other colors too) to bring Victoria’s posh style back to life!

I know I’m not the first to say that buying “one in every color” is worth the investment, but if there’s a staple piece of clothing (or accessory) that you love & just can’t live without, when why not? I have this philosophy typically when ti comes to cardigans & ballet flats, but with a busy summer ahead, I’m also applying this philosophy (& maybe fashion addiction excuse?) to the Goddess maxi dress @New York & Company.

I was first introduced to this dress last year & have since bought it in EIGHT different colors. It is super fashionable, very comfortable & breathable, & really, a classic maxi dress style that I will continue to wear for more summers to come. Truth: I bought it when I was very VERY pregnant last summer, which gave my big baby belly lots of room, but this is not a maternity dress. The banding underneath the bust was very forgiving & even now (not pregnant), I’m loving the flowing long skirt, which flatters my shape now. Not to mention that this dress can be style in a multitude of ways, easy breezy for weekend errands or dressed up for a special occasion! Most colors are available in sizes XS- XXL, which means that this dress really is for everyone!

I love accessorizing this dress with any number of cropped cardigans, long necklaces, oversized earrings, a denim jacket, & studded sandals. Every color of dress is a great foundation for some summer fun, coordinating with playful watermelon or pineapple accents, gawdy golds, or crisp white pieces.

Last summer, when my husband & I were planning our wedding, we included a basket of flip flops to give to our guests for those with tired feet after all the dancing & partying at our reception. Of course, we turned to Old Navy for comfortable, affordable, & colorful flip flops in bulk (& we couldn’t resist buying a few pairs for ourselves too). This summer, Old Navy continues its flip flop legacy with so many fashionable varieties, which brings us to today’s post!

Not only is Old Navy one of my favorite flip flop destinations (making traveling or packing for a quick weekend jaunt of errands so much easier), but there’s plenty of fashionable footwear to shop for if you’re looking for something with a little more flair this summer. Try out some slides, espadrilles, sandal flats, or wedges!

Try any of these shoe styles with a floral summer dress & denim jacket for a cool evening walk by the water, a t-shirt with layered necklaces & cut-off jeans, or ankle pants & a blouse while transitioning from work to play! Additionally, the below dresses are also available, perfect for styling (& super affordable) with these shoes!

During the warmer months, I always have to rethink my jewelry game to avoid feeling weighed down or having to deal with anything fussy. Here’s when I typically stray away from heavy statement necklaces, but to still make a style statement in my accessories, there’s always a big earrings, which I love to wear when my hair is down. However, one of the biggest earring trends this summer is resin, which is available in not just a classic tortoiseshell, but also fun, bold colors to mix & match with summer favorites like maxi dresses, rompers, or casual separates needing a glam touch.